My first few days in Strasbourg brought the same excitement I felt as a freshman at Texas A&M University. Although I was welcomed by outrageously cold and gloomy weather, I looked forward to something new every day. ESN (the exchange network) organized countless opportunities for me to meet people through events like Aperasmus, Speed Friending, welcome parties, and more. Within my very first week, I had already met some of my closest friends here: two German girls and a Polish girl. We clicked instantly and quickly formed a close-knit friend group.
One of the most enriching parts of this experience has been connecting with people from so many different nationalities. Meeting students from Australia, the UK, Ireland, Japan, Taiwan, and beyond exposed me to new perspectives, cultures, and ways of life. Despite being across the world from home, the friendliness and laughter I experienced made Strasbourg feel welcoming and comforting almost immediately.
There were also several adjustments I had to make while settling into life here. First, the class structure is very different from what I am used to at A&M. Classes can last anywhere from three to five hours, with some even taking place at night. In exchange, however, they usually only meet once a week and not always consistently. Academically, I have found the coursework to be somewhat easier than my classes at A&M. Another adjustment was adapting to Strasbourg’s slower pace of life. Since it is a smaller city, most stores close between 6 and 7 p.m., and almost nothing is open on Sundays. At first, this was difficult to get used to, especially when trying to find food on Sundays.
Lastly, I wanted to reflect on my expectations before coming here compared to the reality of living in Strasbourg. I was fortunate enough to visit the city with my family last winter, so I already had a sense of what it looked like. Still, actually living here has exceeded my expectations even more. I love how quaint, walkable, and accessible the city is. Nearly everything is within walking distance or easily reachable by tram, and the city center is especially lively with shopping and restaurants. One aspect that fell slightly below my expectations was the food scene, as there is not a wide variety of options and many restaurants can be expensive. Even so, the warmth and kindness of both the locals and the other exchange students have made this experience incredibly rewarding. I am excited to continue exploring everything Strasbourg has to offer.
